Accountant also a songwriter, game creator and entrepreneur
David Smith, who has died 91, was an ambitious, creative and hardworking entrepreneur who gave his all to bringing people entertainment. He was a game inventor, music composer and writer, in addition to his profession of accountant. Even after retiring in the early 2000s, he continued to invent games and write songs. A firm believer that the lyrics of New Zealand’s national anthem was no longer appropriate, Smith made several attempts to compose a new one. He also wrote poetry and a book on limericks. His widow Colleen Foley-Smith said he was an ambitious entrepreneur, who was extremely hardworking. ‘‘David was a man unafraid to pursue his ideas and dreams. ‘‘He was also a man of genial nature, kind and generous with a wry sense of humour.’’ David Smith was born to Leslie and Rita Smith in Christchurch. He grew up in St Albans and had a younger sister, Pamela. He attended St Albans Primary School before going to Christchurch Boys High School. He went on to study accountancy at Canterbury University. Smith graduated from the University of Canterbury and was hired at accountancy practice Smith, Boyd and Knight. He was made a senior partner – two years after starting – when he was 27 years old. A committed member of the community, Smith served on the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Lyttelton Rd Tunnel Committee, where he undertook the feasibility study for the tunnel. The study required Smith to research similar tunnels overseas, which proved to be tough in the days before internet. His hard work was rewarded with a mention in Hansard, the parliamentary record. He had three children – Jeremy, Nicola and Timothy – with his first wife Barbara Risk. The couple divorced in 1970 and he married Foley-Smith, in Fendalton, in 1992. Both his sons died young, leaving a profound effect on him. Jeremy was 26 and Timothy was 42. ‘‘The greatest sadness in his life was the loss of both his sons in their youth,’’ Foley-Smith said. The skilled accountant had a very creative mind with a knack for game inventing and lyric and poetry writing. When 23, Smith travelled to Sydney, to pursue an interest in broadcasting. He was also very interested in writing music and, while on this trip, he composed the lyrics to a song called A Mother As Lovely As You. The song, which followed the tune of Ma¯ ori folk song Hoea Ra, became popular in Australia. The song was recorded by a number of artists, including the Howard Morrison Quartet, and had more than 10,000 plays on YouTube. While in Australia, Smith began a collaboration with composer Ernie Davidson. The song, You’re Out Of My Mind, which the pair produced, was included in an Australian musical starring popular Australian theatre actress Jacki Weaver. Smith returned to New Zealand a year later, and he went back to accountancy.
In the early 1960s he and friend Ian White decided to build a crematorium in Christchurch. They bought land from a farmer in Harewood, raised investment funds and commissioned renowned New Zealand architect Miles Warren to design the building. The Harewood Crematorium won a gold medal at the time and 25 years after it was built it received an enduring architecture award. Smith left accountancy and went on to develop his own business of promotional games in the early 1970s. Inventing games was one of his great passions, and he was able to combine his creative talents with his business ability. His business venture proved to be quite successful and he went on to produce more than 500 promotional schemes throughout Australasia. His ability to create successful promotional games saw him work for global companies such as Nestle, The Bell Tea Company and a number of petrol companies. He would often use his skills to help raise funds for schools. He is survived by Colleen, daughter Nicola, stepsons Peter, Dean, Damian, Justin, Lawrence, and many grandchildren. –